Erosion in Under-Developed Multiphase Flows

The presence of flow control components such as control valves and chokes along with elbows and Tees in close proximity to one another can lead to under-developed multiphase flows. In gas-producing fields, under-developed wet gas flows can exhibit localized high velocity regions and high liquid entrainment rates. If sand is present, such flows can potentially accelerate the erosion rates. In this work, the erosion of a carbon steel elbow downstream of an orifice plate in low liquid loading multiphase flows is discussed. Experiments were conducted in a 2-inch diameter multiphase flow loop. Erosion in the range of 0.04 to 0.14 mils/lb of sand was observed.